Italy's cannabis legalization bill still blocked

Since July 2015, a bill on the total legalization of cannabis in the drawers of the Italian parliament. Although over 200 deputies have signed the bill, it needs 320 votes to become law. Senator Benedetto Della Vedova, spokesman for the legalization movement, believes that the Italian illicit cannabis market is worth 4 billion euros.

Project outline

If this bill is ever implemented, cannabis would be regulated under a state monopoly. Consumers would be able to grow up to 5 plants per person. These plants could be pooled with other individuals in Cannabis Social Clubs. The latter would be entitled to grow up to 250 plants for their community. Mathematically speaking, a CSC would have to have no more than 50 members.

Consumers could carry 5 grams on their person and keep 15 grams of stock at home. For medical marijuana, The number of plants and the home stock will be determined according to the pathologies that affect them. Medical and scientific research on cannabis would be facilitated.

To open a cannabis business, entrepreneurs will have to go through the customs department, which already regulates tobacco and gambling. They will be able to sell not only dried flowers, but all derivatives containing cannabinoids.

Also, the sale of small quantities of cannabis (under 5g) would be decriminalized. As things stand, penalties are the same for all drugs. If the bill passes, the authorities expect to increase penalties for the sale of hard drugs. All cannabis offenders currently in prison would be released.

What's taking so long?

All 218 pro-legalization MPs have formed the «Cannabis Legale» working group. This group is essentially compound deputies from left-wing and center-left parties, independents and some members of Silvio Berlusconi's center-right «Forza Italia» party.

However, the absence of a majority in Italy is preventing any progress in this area. According to the Agi.it Some 2,000 amendments were tabled by opponents of the bill. The text is due to be re-examined and amended shortly before returning to Parliament.